Bluffton Police Officer Faces Serious Charges Involving Minor
BLUFFTON – In a shocking turn of events, a former police officer from the University of South Carolina Beaufort has been charged with serious allegations of criminal solicitation involving a minor. Harvey Mackenzie Bethea, a 35-year-old resident of Bluffton, finds himself in hot water after being charged on October 2, with criminal solicitation of a 16-year-old girl. This story has left the community reeling and questioning the practices surrounding law enforcement officers.
The Allegations
According to the arrest warrant filed by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the alleged incident dates back to March when Bethea supposedly employed the young girl for unspecified tasks while he went to work. Unfortunately, the details remain unclear as certain portions of the affidavit have been redacted. However, it has been reported that Bethea repeatedly returned to the girl’s home throughout the day, questioning her about “what she would do in exchange for a puppy.” Things took a grim turn when Bethea allegedly suggested that she could sleep with him or perform a sexual act in exchange for the pet.
Bethea reportedly told the victim that he would engage in the sexual acts with her if she felt uncomfortable doing the same to him. Alarmingly, the victim eventually ceased her work with him and reported the propositions to local authorities on March 21. This prompted the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office to request a formal investigation by SLED.
Details of the Investigation
Following the report, Bethea was arrested and taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center, where he was booked and released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond just two hours later. It’s also worth noting that Bethea has no prior criminal record, making this incident particularly disturbing. If found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
Prior to the current issues, Bethea had a brief tenure as an officer at USC Beaufort, having joined the department in October 2021. However, he tendered his resignation on February 26 amid an internal investigation. The school’s Critical Incident Review Board had previously opened an internal investigation where it was discovered that Bethea violated numerous state laws and departmental policies during a traffic stop in an unrelated matter.
Internal Investigation Findings
The internal investigation unveiled that Bethea had committed at least 14 policy violations, including improper data collection during a traffic stop and illegally using blue lights to execute an unauthorized U-turn. These revelations seemed to paint a troubling picture of Bethea’s conduct as an officer.
In response to the ongoing investigation, Bethea chose to refrain from commenting on the charges or the preceding internal investigation when approached for statements. The university opted not to report Bethea for misconduct, which has raised eyebrows within the community.
Next Steps in Legal Proceedings
The Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office is now tasked with prosecuting the case. As the local community processes this shocking revelation, it is essential to consider the broader implications for law enforcement in Bluffton and how such situations can affect public trust.
The Post and Courier has filed requests for Bethea’s personnel files and any internal investigation records related to his time on the force, as the timeline shifts towards what might transpire next in this unfolding scenario.
As always, residents are encouraged to stay informed and engaged, particularly when it comes to ensuring safety and accountability within our local law enforcement agencies.
